My usual schedule for visiting the Tabor Winery has me there in March but this year, for a variety of reasons (especially considering my early deadline for Tom Stevenson's Wine Report), I made the trip to Kfar Tabor a bit earlier. No complaints as much of the visit was devoted to tastings and re-tastings in the good company of winemaker Arieh Nesher and CEO Oren Sela as well as the several representatives of the Central Bottling Company that owns 51% of the winery.

The winery continues to release wines in three series: the top of the line Mescha; the second label Tabor-Adama and the more basic series released under the Tabor label. The Adama series attempts to reflet the type of soil in specific vineyards, and for those who do not understand Hebrew it may help to know that adama translates into soil or earth; gir is chalky soil; terra rosa is red earth; and bazelet refers to volcanic soil.

As discussed on another thread not that long ago, the winery did release several mevushal wines, those exclusively for export. The winery has decided not to continue with this practice. They were kind enough however to let me sample two of those wines from the 2004 vintage.

All-in-all, a winery definitely worth watching, showing high quality from their earliest releases, quality increasing in increments on an annual basis and continuing to offer prices at excellent value for money. Today's tasting notes follow.

Best
Rogov

Tabor, Sauvignon Blanc, Adama, Gir, 2006: Unoaked, the color of bright shining straw, medium-bodied and aromatic with citrus, citrus peel, white peach and mineral aromas and flavors a crisply refreshing wine. Drink now. NIS 63. Score 87.K (Tasted 7 Dec 2006

Tabor, Cabernet Franc, Rose, Adama, Charsit, 2006: Pearl pink in color, crisply dry, with appealing berry, cherry and currant fruits matched nicely by earthy minerals and tantalizing hints of spearmint and bitterness that come in on the finish. Lovely. Drink now. Score 88 K (Tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tavor, Merlot, 2005: Garnet red, medium-bodied, with tempting black fruits on the nose and soft, well-integrated tannins, a generously fruity unoaked wine showing black cherry, berry and cassis fruits. Round and soft, a "friendly" wine with just enough complexity to keep it interesting. Drink now-2008. Score 87. K (Tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2005: With its dominating blackcurrant, chocolate and mint aromas and flavors there is no way you'll think this is anything but Cabernet Sauvignon. Medium-bodied, with soft tannins integrating nicely, this unoaked red also shows appealing blackberry and spices all of which fill the mouth comfortably. Easy to drink and with just enough complexity to hold our attention. Drink now-2008. Score 87. K (Tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Shiraz, 2005: Dark garnet red towards royal purple, reflecting its 12 months in oak with gentle spicy wood and tannins that while still firm show no sharp edges and are integrating nicely. On the nose and palate plums and blackberries, those complemented by hints of earthy minerals, a light meatiness and, rising on the finish a generous hint of raspberries. As in the past, neither French nor Australian but a distinctly Mediterranean wine. Drink now-2008. Score 88. K (Tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Merlot, Adama, Gir, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Traditional for this release which shows remarkable consistency from year to year, medium-dark ruby in color, with berries, blackcurrants and hints of spicy wood backed up comfortably by near-sweet tannins and hints of spicy wood, all coming together as a coherent and very appealing whole. Best 2008-2010. Score 89. K (Re-tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Merlot, Adama, Bazelet, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Showing every bit as nicely as during barrel tastings. Medium- to full-bodied, with soft tannins and appealing hints of vanilla, white chocolate and spices from the wood in which it was developed. On the nose and palate red and black berries, cassis and earthy-minerals. Soft, round and generous. Drink from release-2010. Score 90. K (Re-tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Cabernet Sauvignon, Terra Rosa, Adama, 2005 (Advance Tasting): Dark garnet towards royal purple, medium- to full-bodied, with firm, near-sweet tannins integrating nicely and now showing red plums, raspberries and currant fruits, those matched well by minerals and light hints of herbaceousness. Round, long and generous. Best from 2008-2011 Score 89. K (Re-taste 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor , Cabernet Sauvignon, Bazelet, Adama, 2005: (Advance Tasting): Medium-dark garnet towards purple, medium- to full-bodied, showing generous blackcurrant, blackberry, citrus peel and earthy-mineral aromas and flavors. On the long finish hints of tobacco and eucalyptus. Best from 2008-2012. K. Score 90. (Re-tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Mes'cha, 2003: My most recent tasting note holds firmly: A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz (80%, 15% and 5% respectively), this deep garnet, medium to full-bodied wine reflects its 18 months in oak with still firm tannins and generous wood, those integrating nicely and opening to reveal blackcurrant, berry and plum fruits on a background of spicy wood and Mediterranean herbs. Generous, well-balanced and long. Drink now-2009, perhaps longer.–2009. K Score 90. K (Re-tasted 7 Dec 2006)

Tabor, Red Dessert Wine, 2003: Mescha, Red Dessert Wine, 2003: Made entirely from Merlot grapes, full-bodied, with generous but not cloying sweetness and a fine roundness on the palate. Smooth and round, with raspberry, plum, blueberry and chocolate notes. Drink now-2008. Score 87. K (Re-tasted 7 Dec 2006)

The Mevushal Wines

Mt. Tabor Estate, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2004: Cherry towards garnet red, medium-bodied, with soft tannins and primarily black cherry and berry fruits, those being harmed by the somewhat "cooked" aromas and flatness too often brought about by the pasteurization process. Drink up. Score 78. K

Mt. Tabor Estate, Merlot, 2004: When they first used the term "cooked" as a descriptor for mevushal wines, this is the wine they must have been thinking of . Light- to medium-bodied, with soft tannins and muted berry, cherry and currant fruits. Drink up. Score 77. K